20-mile bike ride to Staveley

Looking down the River Sprint running out of Long Sleddale

Cycling to meet a new friend at Wilf's and coming back a longer way than expected.

Route: Taking the most direct (7-mile) route to Staveley, via Dockray Hall Industrial Estate, Burneside and Bowston and looking with horror at the walled up ends of the old bridge on the way into the village from the south. Then setting off back from the Mill Yard via Barley Bridge, along the back road to the Potter Fell Road and staying low as far as Sprint Mill where the thoroughly blocked bridge forced a turning back to take the Garnett Bridge Road. Unable to turn right any earlier, because of more closed roads/bridges, cycling all the way up and over to Garnett Bridge (also looking a bit damaged!) and then back up to the A6 and through Kendal back home.

Conditions: A cold start, particularly in the wind, but hot in warm sunshine when the wind dropped

Pub: Wilf’s for a flat white and fruit scone at 11am with Sue – home for late lunch of lentil soup and home-made bread with Tim in the garden.